A LUCKY few Oxford United fans will realise their dreams tomrrow night by playing on the Kassam Stadium pitch in front of a crowd of thousands.

An 11-a-side fans-versus-fans game will take place at half-time of the club’s youth benefit game, which will pit an all-time legends XI against a celebrity team to raise money for United’s youth programme.

Twenty-two supporters entered a ‘silent auction’ to join the fans’ teams, with the highest bids over £70 securing a place in the 20-minute match.

George Dugdale, from Horspath, was one of them.

The 18-year-old said: “There’s a lot of pressure but it’s a great opportunity to have some fun and experience something I wouldn’t normally get the chance to.

“There will be people I know watching and waiting to give me some stick, and it’ll be the biggest crowd I’ve ever played in front of.

“I think it’s a great idea from the club to secure the future of youth development.

“We’ve had a lot of players come through the youth system and obviously that should continue.”

Simon Pearce, from Greater Leys, has already volunteered to go in goal for one of the teams.

The 39-year-old said: “I’ve spent the last season being quite vociferous towards the opposition keepers and now I’ve been told it’s my turn to get some stick from the Oxford Mail stand.

“It’s all a bit of fun and I’ll take it in my stride.”

Striker Mark Quainton, 37, from Didcot, said: “I think I’m just going to spend the whole day being nervous. I’ve got friends and family coming up to watch so it’s going to be a really great occasion.

“I’ve never played in front of such a big crowd, it’s my dream to play on the Kassam pitch.

“If I get a chance I’m definitely going to unleash one — hopefully it will go in the back of the net and not in the stands.”

Kevin Stanton-King, 49, from Peterborough, said: “I’ve been following United since my first game in 1969 and the opportunity to play on the pitch is just fantastic.

“If I score I thought about just running up to the dug out and doing the ‘we’re not worthy’ from Wayne’s World.”

He added: “If you look at the players that have come through the youth system over the years you can see how important it is in terms of developing local talent, making sure talented youngsters play for us rather than other local sides and improving support in the community.”

The man in the middle will be 14-year-old U’s fan and qualified referee Oli Denne, from Jericho in Oxford.

He said: “Even though it’s not competitive, there’s a load of ifs and buts going round my head.

“Ultimately I know it’s just a bit of fun, but the players have paid to play in this so it makes me feel like I have to make the right call.

“It’s early on in my referee career so this should give me a real indication of how far I want to take this.”

For more details on the game see tomorrow's special pull-out. Tickets for the match start at £4. Call 01865 337533.

tairs@oxfordmail.co.uk